November 27, 2024

Trent scores season-high 28 points, Barrett adds 26 as Raptors rout Heat 121-97

Raptors #Raptors

TORONTO (AP) — Gary Trent Jr. scored a season-high 28 points, RJ Barrett had 26 and the Toronto Raptors never trailed in a 121-97 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.

Toronto led by 37 at one point despite playing without forward Pascal Siakam. The two-time All-NBA selection and two-time All-Star is being traded to the Indiana Pacers, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Wednesday.

Scottie Barnes scored 20 points and Immanuel Quickley had 17 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Raptors.

Trent returned after sitting out Monday’s loss to Boston because of flu-like symptoms and made a season-high eight 3-pointers on nine attempts.

Jimmy Butler scored 16 points for Miami, whose 35-point halftime deficit was the biggest in team history. Wednesday’s 78-43 gap eclipsed a 33-point deficit against the Lakers on March 9, 1989.

Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo also had 16 points each while Duncan Robinson added 14.

Miami’s six made 3-pointers were a season-low. The Heat shot 6 for 28 from distance, including 1 for 16 in the first half.

After shooting a season-worst 4 for 32 from 3-point range Monday, the Raptors set a season-high by making 20 3-pointers against the Heat. Toronto had 19 in an overtime win at San Antonio on Nov. 5.

The Raptors connected on 7 of 10 from long range in the first quarter, building a 41-18 lead after one. Toronto made seven more 3-pointers in the second.

Siakam was the last remaining starter from Toronto’s 2019 NBA title team still with the franchise. He was averaging 22.2 points this season, and has averaged 17.4 points and 6.5 rebounds in his career.

In exchange, Toronto is expected to receive three future first-round draft picks and a pair of players with NBA championship rings, guard Bruce Brown and forward Jordan Nwora.

ESPN, which first reported the full terms of the trade, also said the New Orleans Pelicans were involved and would send Kira Lewis to Toronto as part of the deal.

Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. sat for the second straight game because of a strained left groin, while forward Kevin Love missed his second straight because of a sore left knee.

Raptors center Jakob Poeltl missed his fifth straight game because of a sprained left ankle.

UP NEXT

Heat: Host Atlanta on Friday night.

Raptors: Host Chicago on Thursday night.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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